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University of California, Riverside

Undergraduate Admission

The University of California, Riverside (UCR) welcomes UNIQUE, COMMITTED, REAL students just like you from over 80 countries. We work hard to create a safe and friendly environment that respects cultural diversity and fosters intercultural skills while providing a world-class education. No wonder over 2,000 international students currently call UCR their home-away-from-home!

Welcome to The University of California, Riverside

The University of California, Riverside (UCR) welcomes UNIQUE, COMMITTED, REAL students just like you from over 80 countries. We work hard to create a safe and friendly environment that respects cultural diversity and fosters intercultural skills while providing a world-class education. No wonder over 2,000 international students currently call UCR their home-away-from-home!

Since welcoming our first class in 1954, UCR has been home to inventors and innovators, creators and community leaders, and geniuses and groundbreakers. This is a university that recognizes students’ impressive accomplishments and vigorous drive, and keeps that same energy pumping as UCR Highlanders work toward their university degrees. 

Welcome to UCR. We’ve been waiting for a Highlander just like you!

As the Princeton Review observed, “With its beautiful campus, excellent learning environment, and caring professors, the University of California, Riverside now compares quite favorably against its more famous sisters in Berkeley and Los Angeles.” 


Riverside, California

UCR is located in vibrant Riverside, a progressive city that’s central to everything that makes Southern California a magical place to live, play, and study. Riverside is known for its small-town friendliness and big-city fun. It’s ranked as No. 3 for the best weather the United States and No. 34 for safety (2021 America’s 100 Best Cities). Plus, the expenses associated with living in Riverside are considerably less than those in nearby metropolitan areas.


Facts

  • Established in 1954
  • 22,687 undergraduate enrollment and 3,747 graduate enrollment
  • World-class faculty include Nobel Prize Winners Barry Barish (Physics 2017) and alumnus Richard R. Schrock (Chemistry 2005) 
  • 150+ majors (Top majors include business, engineering, and psychology.)
  • 23:1 student-to-professor ratio
  • 8 Ethnic & Gender Centers 
  • 500+ student organizations

Recognition

  • No. 1 on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the Top Performers on Social Mobility. (2021)
  • UCR ranks among the top universities in the world. (QS World University Rankings, 2021)
  • UCR is among the top 2% of ranked world universities. (Center for World University Rankings, 2021–22)
  • Top 15% of institutions in the United States for its overall graduation rate. (UCR’s Office of Institutional Research, 2021)
  • No. 25 on Best Value School’s Most Affordable Colleges in California. (2020)
  • Among the Top 50 Green Colleges in the nation for sustainability practices, a strong foundation in sustainability education, and a healthy quality of life for students on campus. (The Princeton Review, 2021)
  • The City of Riverside is No. 17 for “Place” on 100 America’s Best Cities rankings due to the perceived quality of its natural and built environment, including weather, safety, neighborhoods and landmarks, and outdoors.

Academic Excellence

UCR will challenge you with world-class faculty, including two Nobel Prize winners, a Pulitzer Prize winner, countless social activists, and world influencers. You will gain hands-on experiences with internships (which start as early as your first year) and unique networking opportunities.

Get a competitive edge with first-year and transfer student success programs, full-service career counseling, internships, 100+ study abroad opportunities, and more! A full suite of academic resources — including free tutoring and time management workshops — will help to ensure your academic success.


Achievement Scholarship

International first-year and transfer applicants are automatically considered for the Achievement Scholarship upon acceptance to UCR. Scholarship winners could receive US$4,500/quarter for a 3.9 GPA or higher OR US$1,000/quarter for a 3.5–3.89 weighted GPA.


Admission Requirements

International first-year and transfer students must complete the requirements below. International first-year students must demonstrate English Language Proficiency by meeting exam benchmarks such as a minimum score of 80 for TOEFL, 6.5 for IELTS, or 115 for Duolingo.

 

First Year

Coursework – Earn a grade of C or better in these courses, complete a minimum of 15 college-preparatory ("a-g") courses as outlined below, and finish 11 courses before your senior year. 

UC "A-G" Courses Years Recommended
a. History/Social Science 2 -
b. English 4 -
c. Mathematics 3 (must include Geometry) 4
d. Science 2 3
e. Language Other Than English 2 3
f. Visual and Performing Arts 1 -
g. College Preparatory Elective 1 -


Additional Requirements

  • 3.4 Minimum GPA (weighted) in “A–G” Courses
  • Test-Free Through Fall 2024 – SAT/ACT scores are not considered for admission or scholarships.
  • Tell Us About You – Answer four of eight Personal Insight Questions.

Visit our website for all requirements, including country-specific requirements for international students.

Use the dates below to complete and submit the UC application:
Fall Application Opens: Aug. 1   |   Fall Application Period: Nov. 1–30
 

Transfer

Minimum Requirements

  • 60 semester (90 quarter) units of transferable college credit
  • 2.8 Minimum GPA (International students)
  • Grades C or better, UC transferable and worth at least 3 semester (4–5 quarter) units:
    - 2 Courses: English Composition
    - 1 Course: Mathematical Concepts and Quantative Reasoning
    - 4 Courses from at least two: Arts and Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Physical and Biological Sciences

Visit our website for all requirements, including major requirements. Use the dates below to complete and submit the UC application:
Fall Application Opens: Aug. 1   |   Fall Application Period: Nov. 1–30
Winter Application Opens: July 1   |   Winter Application Period: July 1–31


Campus Housing and Dining

No matter where you live on campus, you’ll be in the center of the action! Enjoy creature comforts, such as Amazon lockers, computer labs, gaming lounges, pools/recreation areas, and music rooms. Make new friends with more than 1,500 year-round programs and activities like theme parties, movies, and field trips.

With a residential dining plan, you can enjoy a convenient, buffet-style dining experience and dining venues serving BBQ, brick-fired pizzas, wok-inspired dishes, fresh poke bowls, taqueria treats, crispy fries, fresh build-it-yourself sandwiches, and all the coffee and tea you can wish for. A great selection of vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free options are all over campus.

                     
 


Student Testimonials

     

Tuition

$10,000 — $15,000 Quarter

Fast facts

Afiiliation icon

Affiliation

Public

Top Programs icon

Top Programs

Business, Computer Science, Data Science

Type of school icon

Type of School

University



  • School Size

    Large
  • Student Body Gender

    Co-ed
  • Religious Affiliation

    No Affiliation
  • Scholarships for International Students

    Yes
  • Conditional Admission Available

    No
  • Setting

    Suburban
  • Type of Housing

    Residence Hall, Apartment, Dormitory
  • Test Scores

    TOEFL: 80+, IELTS: Band 6.5+, Duolingo: 120+, ACT Eng: 20+, SAT Eng: 560+

Riverside CA
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900 University Ave. Riverside, CA

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